Played on Feb 12, 2026
Game Played in Memorial Coliseum
General Game Notes: This was a high scoring game that needed overtime and a shootout to decide the winner. Both teams traded goals, power plays, scoring chances and everything else that made this game as even as it could be. Victoria opened the shootout with a goal that ended up being the game winner while both goalies shut the door the rest of the way.
Jordan Duguay (C, L, 5’10”, 177, Portland Winterhawks, 02/16/2008)
Game Rating
A-
1 Viewing
Comments: Duguay scored a nice goal when a loose puck found him alone in the slot. Without hesitation, he snapped one over the goalies glove. Without hesitation means no stick handle, skate to stick and quick release, where the goalie had no time to react to where he was going or the puck was going. Duguay skates and handles the game in a similar way, where his quickness and heads up plays account for the type of player that he is. He shoots out of a cannon from a stand still, showing his first couple steps. Make it harder for defensemen to get their gaps.
Griffin Darby (D, L, 6’0″, 172, Portland Winterhawks, 09/26/2008)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Darby was a beneficiary of being in the right spot at the right time. Deflecting a puck from the high slot into the back of the net for the first goal of the night. The mobile defenseman found his way up in the play, sinking low into the slot. As he battled for a bit of position, the puck came to him and was able to get stick on a puck shot from the wall. This was Darby’s first goal of the year, but from the way he moves and is able to skate with or without the puck, you would think he would have a couple more. Some might say right place, right time, others might question what he was doing in the area in the first place. Regardless, he scored a nice goal.
Ryan Miller (LW, L, 6’0″, 178, Portland Winterhawks, 05/03/2007, Denver)
Game Rating
B+
Miller’s strengths lie in his ability to create space with quick movements in the offensive zone and deliver precise passes to teammates. When aggressive on offense, he is also a reliable two-way player due to his existing defensive prowess. However, to elevate his performance further, he needs to improve his speed and edge. Currently, he compensates for his limited agility by relying on strong puck protection skills and solid positioning along the boards.
1 Viewing
Comments: With two assists on the night, Miller was a solid part of his teams offense. One of the better parts to his game is how scrappy that he actually is. He puts an extra battle level forward to win loose pucks and is not afraid of the physical side that it requires. He is not the biggest player on the ice, but that does not stop him from going directly to the net from the wall. After he gets the puck low to high, he wants to be an option and create chaos at the net front.
Alex Weiermair (C, R, 6’1″, 191, Portland Winterhawks, 05/10/2005, Denver)
Game Rating
A-
Weiermair showcases a dynamic skillset that enables him to thrive in various situations on the ice. His agility and speed allow him to navigate through tight spaces with ease, making it challenging for defenders to control him. When paired with his impressive motor, Weiermair demonstrates exceptional hockey IQ, reading plays well and reacting quickly to capitalize on scoring opportunities. In addition to his offense, Weiermair’s defensive skills are notable, as he excels at killing opposing chances in his own end and winning board battles for loose pucks. He also possesses the skating ability to be a plus player in transition, making him a valuable asset for his team.
1 Viewing
Comments: Weiermair scored a nice goal with a one timer in the slot, cleanly beating the goalie due to the power and the quickness of his shot. He got a nice little pass from the wall from his teammate, where he was in a bumper position and had space to get the puck off quickly. Weiermair has good size for him to be in spaces like this, and he makes it really hard smaller defensemen and forwards, for that matter, to defend him. He has a two way game where he is in position defensively, will block a shot, and create contact in his own zone.
Luke Wilfley (C, R, 6’1″, 183, Portland Winterhawks, 06/30/2008, Arizona State)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Wilfley with a skilled go that gave his team a lead later in the second period. While on a three on one, he decided to look off both teammates, put the puck in his back pocket, and show his quick and powerful release where he beat the goalie low side. His deception was key on this goal because he looked like he was going to pass it all the way up until he did not. Wilfley has a lot of characters that go for him, like his size and ability to get up and down the ice. He plays in all three zones, and this goal was a good example of this type of skill that he can bring.
Henry Peterson (D, R, 6’3″, 203, Victoria Royals, 05/25/2007, St. Thomas)
Game Rating
B
Peterson is a physical defenseman with a polished edge, exceling in his role as a shutdown defender. He consistently brings a rugged element to the game, making him a formidable opponent in one-on-one situations. Peterson’s skill set is well-rounded, allowing him to excel in key areas such as skating and pass distribution. However, his overall skillset may not be particularly flashy or highly nuanced.
1 Viewing
Comments: Peterson is more of a physical defenseman that excels in his own zone, clearing space, winning puck battles, and making himself hard to play against. Tonight, he provided a little more offense in his game, showing that he has two way ability. When he moves the puck to his first outlet, he adds a duynamic element to his game. He is not going to shock manty people with his plsy but he has a reliable aspect that allows him to log hard minutes against the other teams better lines.
Timofei Runtso (D, R, 6’2″, 187, Victoria Royals, 07/06/2007, Miami (Ohio))
Game Rating
B+
This mobile defenseman showcases impressive skills on the ice, moving the puck with ease and creating offensive chances through quick passing and agility. His size and speed allow him to shut down plays effectively, but refinement in positioning could further enhance his defensive game. A key aspect of Runtso’s game is his ability to contribute both offensively and defensively, often joining the rush and creating shot lanes for teammates while also shutting down plays. He excels at breaking up plays with an active stick, quickly gaining possession and using his feet to facilitate breakouts. Overall, Runtso’s skills demonstrate a strong balance between offense and defense.
1 Viewing
Comments: Runtso is an active defenseman who uses his feet to be an effective part of his teams offense. He likes to hold on to the puck and use his feet to expand the ice and find lanes or create lanes on his own. He is mobile with the puck, there is no doubt, but there is a ton of risk to his game. Couple of turnovers tonight found him out of place and chasing the puck back into his own zone. His mobility is apparent, whether that is on the rush without the puck or creating a rush with the puck, he at least wants it at all times he is on the ice and has that type of work ethic.
Odin Vauhkonen (D, L, 6’1″, 192, Victoria Royals, 09/16/2008, Harvard)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Vauhkonen has the feet to be more mobile than he actually plays. Like to see him jump into the play more given how long and smooth his stride can be. When he has the lane pre scanned from the blue line, he does a good job at getting his shot to the net, but when he has to create that laen himself, he resrots to D to D passes or a dump back into the zone. Needs to be careful with his physicality, couple hits tonight were surprisingly not called, but none the less, he is physical.
Ludovic Perreault (LW, L, 5’7″, 167, Victoria Royals, 03/20/2009)
Game Rating
A-
Perreault possesses a dynamic puck-handling ability, demonstrated by his recent goal on the rush. He has the agility and power to generate shots from distance, making him a threat in the offensive zone. His small frame belies his speed, allowing him to evade bigger defenders who struggle to keep up with his quick movements. While he may occasionally be bumped off pucks, his rapid recovery due to his speed mitigates this limitation.
1 Viewing
Comments: Despite being one of the smaller players on the ice Perreault scored a net front goal that showed his grit and determination to be a presence in front of the goalie. He is extremely strong on his skates, showing a stable base that makes him hard to knock off the puck, especially along the walls and in chaotic areas. It was off the rush that he tended to struggle the most. Not being able to provide enough lateral width to make it hard on defensemen to cover ice.
Cruz Waltze (LW, L, 5’9″, 169, Victoria Royals, 09/03/2008)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Waltze entered the zone with a little one-on-one, where he pulled the puck inside to his body, used the defenseman as a screen, and scored with a little snapshot that clearly took the goalie by surprise. Bit of a lucky bounce, but his hands and ability to create a different shot lane were contributing factors in this goal. Waltze needs to hold onto the puck longer. He tends to throw pucks away under pressure, maybe due to his size, but needs to expect contact more often.
Miles Cooper (LW, L, 5’10”, 163, Victoria Royals, 08/04/2006)
Game Rating
A-
The player’s speed, playmaking ability, and instincts are notable aspects of their game, allowing them to generate offense effectively. They possess good lateral movement skills, enabling them to quickly change direction and stay in front of opponents. Their vision on the ice is strong, as they can read plays well and identify openings. However, there is room for improvement in terms of physical play. At times, the player hesitated to engage with the puck, missing opportunities for physical battles. This restraint needs to be balanced with a willingness to take on opponents and create more scoring chances. The player’s ability to manipulate the puck and create time and space is also noteworthy. They are able to read defenders’ movements and make effective moves to exploit these openings. While they created many opportunities, they often settled for secondary plays rather than pursuing scoring chances.
1 Viewing
Comments: Cooper had three assists on the night, showing off his ability to not only move the puck around but move it to effective places. His deception is a huge part of his game and a reason why he is able to open the ice up, letting players pass and by before he makes the play he wants to make. He sees the ice wall because his head is up when he’s playing with pace. He’s able to shift directions quickly. This opens up the ice and also allows him more time to make a better play.
Max Silver (C, R, 6’1″, 187, Victoria Royals, 01/13/2007, Colgate)
Game Rating
A-
1 Viewing
Comments: Silver scored an elite level goal off the rush, where him and his teammates were able to tic-tac-toe the two defensemen for a backdoor tally. This goal was a leap because it was a crisp and lengthy scene pass that he had to one-touch with some power into the back of the net. He was able to do so and beat the goalie over the glove. Silver is a powerful forward with his skating and shot, and this goal was a great example of what he can provide offensively. Which is speed and pace through the neutral zone that pushes the defense back, opening the ice up.
Photo credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images